Commuter X4 - The wearable, fibre optic bike light

£19,089

460

Jason Bradbury awards the Commuter X4 with 2nd place in the British Inventors' Project award at the Gadget Show Live 2014.

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Back to the COMMUTER X4...

In 2012 over 19,000 cycling accidents were reported in the UK. Most accidents occur in urban areas and accidents after dark are more likely to be fatal - Reporter Road Casualties Great Britain, annual report 2012.

THE COMMUTER X4 has a central projective
light; highly luminous and compact. The magic lies in the 4 fibre optic light guides.

- The human eye judges distance, width and speed most accurately by using 2 or more focal points. The COMMUTER X4 allows drivers to process this information faster and more precisely than if relying on a single rear light.

- The COMMUTER X4 creates a unique and distinct shape ensuring you stand out in rush hour traffic.

- The light sits at the optimum height for all road users and allows drivers to notice your side profile at junctions.

Two thirds of cyclists killed or seriously injured in the UK were involved in collision at, or near, a road junction.

- HGV drivers can identify you more clearly from above.

Lights on the seatpost are difficult to see from above

- Fastens and adjusts to backpacks up to 35 litres. Fine-tune the strap settings to suit your riding angle, securing the central hub in the most effective position.

- The COMMUTER X4 never has to leave your backpack. Access your zips and pockets and slip on your rain cover. Simply unclip one strap and the device falls to the side providing full access
to your bag. It only takes seconds to attach.

Unclip one strap to access your entire backpack

- Eliminate the need for multiple rear lights.

- The fibre optic light guides are also effective reflectors. When the fibre optics are disabled, the light guides remain bright, reflective strips. Using only the central light, the COMMUTER X4 maintains its distinct shape.

Disable the fibre optics and get reflectors

- It can be worn without a backpack, simply connect the top and bottom light guides together to wear over your shoulders.

Can be worn over the shoulders without a backpack

-Non-dazzling to drivers and other cyclists. Blind drivers are bad drivers.

- If you do happen to fall off, you can still be seen.

Mounting – A series of durable poppers line the inside of
the light guides, which fasten around the anchor points on your backpack. When not using a backpack the top and bottom light guides connect easily over the shoulders. The D-rings allow for refined adjustments.

Straps - These are 3cm wide and consist of 4 layers: a ripstop nylon under-sheet, a reflective silver fabric, the fibre optic rods and a micro-fibre nylon filter mesh. A 30cm long addition elastic strap extends from the light guides.

Battery – USB
rechargeable using an external micro USB cable. The working prototypes use a 600mAh Lithium Ion battery. On full power the battery runs for 4 hours and if power saving, 15 hours.

Modes - multiple
flash and fade settings. The central light and 4 fibre optics are controlled by independent circuit boards. Activate one or the other or both at the same time for maximum luminosity.

Lighting and brightness - The central light is a super bright LED chip and the
fibre optics run off LEDs. The transparent diffuser lens, made from a polycarbonate injection moulding, disperses and refracts light to prevent dazzling other road users. There are 2 brightness settings on the central light, 30 and 70 lumens.

Weight and dimensions – The
COMMUTER X4 is extremely light given its impressive effect, weighing only 225g. The matte black central casing is 2.7cm thin and 8cm at it widest point, made from ABS injection moulding.

Compact, lightweight design

Product Evolution

Our Latest Prototype is flush and neat with an incredible finish.

Ed Ward - Founder

Ed founded Veglo after being hit
from behind when cycling in London and thrown into the road. From then on he made it his mission to increase urban cycle
safety. Having grown up in Botswana and spent
most his life outdoors, Ed’s got an uncanny ability to make stuff. Ed’s
latest invention is the COMMUTER X4 which has sparked the start of a new venture -
Veglo.cc.

Lucy Lynn-Evans - Head of Growth

Lucy ran her own cycling business for 3 years leading cycle tours to festivals. After being run over by a truck when she was 21, bicycles gave Lucy the freedom and independence that walking could not. Now, fully recovered, she is on a mission to make the roads a safer and happier place for all that occupy them, and is placing the COMMUTER X4 front and centre.

Brodie Willis - Engineer

Brodie is a designer extraordinaire. He loves solving real life problems and previously turned his hand to both backpacks and bicycle panniers. Without Brodie and D2M, the COMMUTER X4 would not be solving problems that other bike lights don't.

Jack Hamspon - Non Executive Director

Jack brings over a decade of experience in manufacturing and managing complex supply chains. When Ed brought him the concept of COMMUTER X4, he was delighted to come on board and use his experience to help make the roads that much safer for cyclists.

Philip Tan - Quality control

Jack introduced the team to Philip, our quality control man on the ground in China. Philip specialises in Quality Assurance and Quality Control at factory level, having worked for some of the world's largest brands.

We have all come together around one product, and one mission. Our mix of skills and stories are being woven together in order to bring a product to market that will hopefully make the road a happier place for all that use it.

We have 2 fully functioning prototypes. Production quality will exceed the quality of these and Philip will ensure this.

Injection moulding - the lens, body and gaskets are made from bespoke
and precise designs.

Fibre optics - these are currently off the shelf. They’re effective,
durable and there's no need to be clever by designing our own.

Straps - these are bespoke and made-to-fit. Designed to be light,
durable, easy to use and highly reflective.

USB charging cable – this is off the shelf. It’s much greener this way
and ultimately keeps the cost down for everyone.

Timelines

We expect to start
production at the end of this campaign. There is a 3 to 4 month turn-around
when dealing with factories abroad.

May – we will put forward
the final product specification and personally approve production and quality.

June – the instruction
manual will be compiled along with packaging and designs.

July – packaging and
shipping.

August – delivery and
testing.

You should have your COMMUTER X4 in September 2014.

We have 3 other lights in
the making under the Veglo brand. Small and compact front, rear and helmet lights with a bit of twist.
They’re stylish and do things that other lights don’t. We’re incredibly excited with the COMMUTER X4 which is just the
first of many in the Veglo COMMUTER range.

Risks and challenges

Manufacturing our product abroad presents significant issues concerning negotiation, traceability and accountability. We have enlisted a non-executive director who has dealt extensively in these areas and has already provided us with invaluable contacts and advice.

Problems in the supply chain can catch you off-guard. By having Philip on the ground ensuring quality control, we are privy to constant feedback and are better able to respond to problems within the manufacturing process.

Both Ed and Lucy have experience in getting companies off the ground.

We must iterate that the COMMUTER X4 does not protect you against accidents when cycling. Please don’t be so confident that you feel invulnerable. It is designed to enhance your presence and ensure other road users notice you whilst cycling. Please use the Commuter X4 as supplementary rear light set-up and always ride with mounted lights as well.

We have allowed for overtime in the production process and will provide regular updates during each stage of the process. We have made it a priority to be clear and honest in communicating back to you.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge £250 or more
About $313

Personalise your COMMUTER X4 and BELIEVE IN VEGLO -
Believe in our mission and support our development towards more award winning safety products. Receive a personalised COMMUTER X4 with your chosen name + limited edition water bottle + spare charger + VEGLO T-shirt + meet the team in London (and if you're abroad - we can Skype). Free shipping within the UK (delivery proof on all shipping).